The Fabulous Faith 5k is held yearly by Faith's parents, Ken and Ruth Lautzenheiser, and a team of faithful volunteers. The Lautzenheisers lost their beautiful daughter, Faith Rose Lautzenheiser, to chemotherapy-induced heart failure in 2013. It has been their mission ever since to ease and aid the pain of other families experiencing the same thing.

Their goal is to support families financially, emotionally, and spiritually, that have been affected by pediatric cancer. They aim to help families struggling with the financial burden of cancer-related health care costs, living expenses, loss of income and other costs that continue to occur during treatment. The funds from the Fabulous Faith 5k all go to organizations that promote their goals.

We were able to get in touch with Ken Lautzenheiser and hear his incredible and moving story.

Tell us a little bit about yourself. What is your inspiration for this 5k?

Our daughter Faith is our inspiration for the 5K and the Foundation itself. My wife and Faith had always discussed putting together a foundation to help families going through their own cancer journey as well as finding a cure.

After Faith passed away in June of 2013, we wanted to make a difference. Faith had beat the cancer, but the medications that she was taking affected her organs and were the ultimate factor in her passing. Unfortunately, parents of kids with cancer, are stuck sometimes no matter what they do. Their child either dies from the cancer or the medications they are given. Out of every $1 the Federal Government spends on Cancer research only 4% goes to children. It needs to be a lot more than that.

What are your ultimate goals?

Our ultimate goals is to find a cure.

How can someone get involved?

Right now our biggest needs are funds. Our race this past weekend benefitted the Child Life Specialist on the cancer floor at Cook Children’s Hospital. But the need is always there. Our effort is to assist families, medical personnel and research labs who are working to treat children and performing research to find a cure. During our event, like this past weekend, we need volunteers and sponsors who can help make our efforts a success.

Can we make donations?

Is there anything else we should know about?

Yes, every day 43 families are told “Your child has cancer.” Every day 7 of those children pass away due to the disease or the treatment, which uses adult medicines not meant for children. 4% is not enough. These kids and families need our help, they can’t fight alone. Every $1 that we get, goes to our efforts and every one of them are very important to us.

For more information about the Fabulous Faith 5k and their amazing story, you can visit their website or their Facebook page.

Fabulous Faith 5K 2016

Like what you're reading? Subscribe to Mansfield Magazine's free newsletter to get regular updates